SWEET maker Swizzels urges retailers to stock up on its vegan range as it continues to grow in popularity.
In 2023, more than 700,000 people signed up to the challenge to try a vegan diet for the month of January*, and Veganuary 2024 is set to be the biggest yet, so it’s essential for retailers to stock up on a range of best-selling and well-known brands to entice customers.
The plant-based category is growing at an exponential rate, creating demand for confectionery products that taste and feel like traditional confectionery.
Swizzels has seen a surge in sales of its vegan range post-Covid, with a 19% increase in its vegan Variety Range**, including popular Curious Chews, Luscious Lollies, and Scrumptious Sweets.
The company has also seen a 28% increase in its vegan Countlines**, including Drumstick Choos, Love Hearts and Refreshers Choos, as well as an 18% increase in its Originals bag range**, including Double Lollies, Mini Love Hearts rolls and Parma Violets packs.
In its fourth year running a campaign in support of Veganuary, Swizzels has made what started as a Veganuary-only movement a year-round trend with the key focus message: ‘All These, All year, All Vegan’, to promote the extensive range of vegan sugar confectionery.
Swizzels’ vegan range is a popular addition to any retailer’s sugar confectionery selection. As the No.1 supplier of Variety bags***, including Curious Chews, Scrumptious Sweets and Luscious Lollies, stockists will not want to miss out on the opportunity to supply the whole range.
Other vegan fan favourites from the range include Love Hearts, Parma Violets, Minions Tropical Chew bars, Refreshers Choos, Drumstick Choos, and more.
Clare Newton, trade marketing manager at Swizzels, said: “Vegan sugar confectionery is becoming increasingly popular as vegan options move beyond the established categories of meat and dairy alternatives.
“We’ve found that innovation within the vegan sugar confectionery category is a strong driver to entice consumers to try out vegan products and keep them coming back for more.
“Plant-based sugar confectionery is in high demand and vegan alternatives have never been more important. Social media movements have helped fuel the interest in vegan lifestyles with the growth of food-related accounts and influencers.
“We want our customers to feel confident that they can still enjoy their favourite confectionery products all year round, not just during Veganuary.”
*Veganuary, 2023
**Source: Ex-Factory data value 4wks to 29.01.2023
***Source: IRI, Confectionery category, Value Sales, 52wks to 25.12.2022, Total Market data
